Plasma Volume Estimate
Enter height, weight, sex, and hematocrit to calculate total blood volume and derive plasma volume through the (1 − hematocrit) relationship.
Use the fractional hematocrit (e.g., 42% for 0.42).
Total blood volume
4985 mL
Plasma volume
2891 mL
Plasma volume
2.89 L
How to Use This Calculator
Enter anthropometric data
Use measured height and weight. Consider ideal or adjusted body weight in extreme obesity to avoid overestimation.
Provide current hematocrit
Use hematocrit from the same blood draw. Plasma volume is blood volume multiplied by (1 − Hct).
Apply clinically
Use plasma volume to guide therapeutic plasma exchange, estimate hypervolemia, or tailor drug dosing requiring intravascular volume.
Formula
Nadler blood volume (male) = [0.3669 × (Height(m))³ + 0.03219 × Weight(kg) + 0.6041] × 1000
Nadler blood volume (female) = [0.3561 × (Height(m))³ + 0.03308 × Weight(kg) + 0.1833] × 1000
Plasma volume = Blood volume × (1 − Hematocrit)
Full Description
Plasma volume represents the intravascular fluid compartment excluding red blood cells. Clinicians leverage plasma volume estimates for plasmapheresis dosing, assessment of intravascular depletion/excess, and pharmacokinetic modeling for protein-bound medications. Adjust estimations for pregnancy, obesity, and acute hemodilution or hemoconcentration, and validate with clinical findings when precision is critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does anemia affect accuracy?
Yes. Hemodilution lowers hematocrit, increasing calculated plasma volume. Interpret results alongside clinical assessment.
Can I use this for pediatric patients?
Nadler’s formula is validated in adults. Pediatric plasma volume estimates require age-specific formulas.
What if weight is unstable?
Use dry weight when available (e.g., dialysis patients) to avoid fluid overload skewing blood volume estimates.
How is this used in plasmapheresis?
Plasma exchange prescriptions commonly remove 1–1.5× plasma volume per session based on these estimates.